Alice Springs hit by severe thunderstorms, thousands lose power

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 00:31 · Archive

Intense thunderstorms with wind gusts up to 125km/h struck Alice Springs on Monday, damaging buildings and leaving about 9,000 residents without power.

Intense thunderstorms tore through Alice Springs on Monday with wind gusts reaching 125km/h in some areas. The storms damaged buildings by ripping off roofs, smashed into cars and homes, and left about 9,000 residents without power.

Alice Springs Mayor Daniel Rochford described the chaos as one of the scariest things he had experienced. He was driving from work when the storm hit and said trees were falling around his car and he could not see the road in front of him.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Sarah Scully said this was the first taste of the severe storm season, which runs between October and April each year. She explained that greater daytime heating puts energy into the atmosphere and increased moisture becomes available in warmer temperatures as water evaporates from the oceans and is drawn over Australia by heat troughs.

NT Treasurer Bill Yan urged residents to be patient as emergency crews worked to restore power through the night.

Alice Springs hit by severe thunderstorms, thousands lose power — Image: The West Australian

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How it is being reported

‘Scariest thing’: Alice Springs hit by severe thunderstorms, buildings damaged, thousands without powerThousands remain without power after a band of intense thunderstorms smashed the city, but the chaos isn’t over yet.The West Australian · 12 Oct, 23:59
‘Scariest thing’: Alice Springs hit by severe thunderstorms, buildings damaged, thousands without powerThousands remain without power after a band of intense thunderstorms smashed the city, but the chaos isn’t over yet.Perth Now · 12 Oct, 23:59

In this story: Alice Springs · Northern Territory · Daniel Rochford · Bill Yan · Sarah Scully · Bureau of Meteorology

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